S.S. America. Poster Stamp by Dietz, Fred [Poster Stamp; Women; Ships] - 1940

New York: Fred H. Dietz, 1940. First printing. Ephemera. Fine. This poster stamp is mentioned & illustrated in the Poster Stamp Bulletin (October, 1940), and collectors are advised to "place this interesting P.S. in their collections as ship stamps are indeed rare and difficult to obtain." (Poster Stamp Bulletin page 05-5-5, October 1940)

S.S. America (1940 - 1995) at the time was the largest commercial steamship ever built in the USA. It was designed by William Gibbs, noted naval architect while the interior was designed by the all women's firm Smyth, Urquart & Markwald. She was launched in August 1940 after the war had started but while America was neutral, so it sailed with two large US flags painted on it's hull and was fully illuminated at night. An interesting sidebar was that two German spies were captured on board during this period and prosecuted along with 31 others in the famous Duquesne spy ring trials.

Blue & red photographic image of the S.S. America & its House Flag printed with marginal imprints on the full border, including specifications of the ship & crew. Perforated through margins with the rear gummed. 5 1/2 x 3 1/2" (14 X 9 cm). Poster Stamp Bulletin page 05-5-5, October 1940).